Several elements contribute to the phenomenon of foggy, cloudy, or yellow headlights, including:
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Debris Exposure: The longer your vehicle spends on the road, the more it’s exposed to assorted debris such as tiny stones, sand, and dust. Over time, this debris can accumulate on your headlights, contributing to their foggy appearance.
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Oxidation: Unlike older models that featured glass headlights, modern cars use headlights made of polycarbonate plastic, which is susceptible to oxidation. As this plastic develops minute cracks, the sun’s UV rays cause them to yellow, reducing headlight clarity.
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Harsh Weather Conditions: Polycarbonate plastic headlights typically have a protective film to shield them from the elements. However, continual exposure to weather conditions like rain, snow, sleet, and hot temperatures can wear down this protective film, leading to headlight dullness.
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Condensation: High temperatures within the headlight assembly often lead to condensation — water vapor turning back into liquid droplets. This trapped moisture can dull the appearance of your headlights.
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Aging: Ultimately, time is the underlying factor. Regardless of how diligently you maintain your car’s headlights, aging and wear are inevitable, necessitating periodic cleaning and eventual headlight restoration.
Whatever the cause, the passage of time is always the underlying culprit. Unfortunately, no matter how well you take care of your car’s headlights, they will eventually need to be cleaned as the months and years progress.
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